Micah Johnson Stuns Judges With ‘Chicken Fried’ on ‘American Idol’

Micah Johnson’s ‘American Idol’ audition that aired tonight tonight (Jan. 30) started off on a dark and emotional note. Tonsillectomy procedures are fairly routine, but his went terribly wrong, resulting in nerve damage and a subsequent speech impediment. However, he didn’t let that unfortunate mishap stop him from performing a truly jaw-dropping rendition of Zac Brown Band’s ‘Chicken Fried.’

“Speech problems? What speech problems?” the judges all seemed to be asking each other as Johnson powered through the catchy tune, enunciating every syllable with perfect clarity and precision. Keith Urban couldn’t help but sing along, providing harmony to accompany what wound up being one of the best auditions on tonight's episode of 'Idol.'

Johnson’s delivery was so spot-on that Randy Jackson playfully accused him of yanking their chain. “This is the biggest fake-out I think I’ve ever had!” he exclaimed. “We were leaning in ‘cause we couldn’t even hear you speak, and then you open your mouth and you sing like a bird. What is going on here?” Urban then good-naturedly instructed him to “Just sing all the time!”

“I was moved by your story,” contributed fellow 'Idol' panelist Mariah Carey, who suffered nerve damage to her arm in the past. She went on to say, “But even if you didn’t have that story, I still would’ve been moved by your voice.”

Johnson’s stunning performance not only shows talent and perseverance, it encourages other people who encounter hardships in their lives to follow their dreams rather than give up. “It feels really, really good,” remarked the singer after receiving his well-deserved golden ticket to Hollywood.